Obstetrical bandage



om'rnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTHA XVILLIS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

OBSTETRICAL BANDAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 31,843, dated March 26, 1861.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, MARTHA WVILLIS, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Obstetrical Bandage 'and Supporter; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification; in which Figure 1, is a side View representing my apparatus as applied to the person of a female; Fig. 2, is the same shown in a front view; Fig. 3, is a back view of the same.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

My improved apparatus is designed for the use of females, after parturition, and in all cases of weakness of the bowels, and falling of the womb; and for hernia in both females and males.

It consists of a jacket, or band, composed of one or more thicknesses of linen, or other suitable material, which covers the abdomen, and extends as low as the pelvis in front, and occupies a corresponding portion of the person in rear. -The front is divided into two parts A, A, and laced by a cord b; the back 0, is whole, but the sides are open, to leave the hips uncovered. Broad straps or bands, (Z, d, pass around the thighs and button to the front portions, they being secured to the back part by a seam, or otherwise. These bands are in part composed of elastic material 6, e, which yields to the motion of the limbs in walking, and thereby does not derange the position of the jacket, while it offers no impediment to the motion of the muscles. The narrow portions above the hips are each provided with a lace f, f, by which the size may be reduced to fit the person, the material folding over as the laces are drawn tighter.

The front edges of A, A, are made upon a slight curve so that when drawn into a parallel positionto each other, by lacing, the middle portion projects whilethe top and bottom are drawn in, adapting it to the natural contour of the abdomen. These edges are stiffened by having slips of whalebone, or other flexible material, sewed into them, in making, 'in the ordinary manner of inserting that material in ladies dresses. This stiffening is not required for the support of the abdomen, but to facilitate the operation of lacing, the construction being such that the requisite support is obtained from the tension of the cloth wholly, and not the rigidity of the material. This is the chief object of the invention, and is a requirement without which a supporting bandage cannot be worn with ease and comfort, as all acknowledge who have used the various metallic and other rigid mechanical apparatuses for this purpose.

I construct my bandages of the lightest material, and cord them, 9 9, only for the purpose of preventing the cloth from wrinkling, or shirring together, when in use.

The effect of tightening the lace b, is to draw the lower part of the bandage closely in upon the pubis; and it is further held by the straps h, h, which are attached to the back at z, i, and after being passed around theinner side of the thighs are buttoned on the lower corners of the front. A pair of straps j, j, are connected with the straps h, it, near their rear connections, and pass thence diagonally over the hips, where they are buttoned to the front of the jacket. Both these pairs of straps are elastic, and they perform the useful functions, when arranged in the manner shown, of holding the jacket from working upward by the motion of the body and limbs, and of keeping the inner or fleshy parts of the thighs from contact, and thereby prevent chafing and irritation of those parts.

Two sets of buttons are provided for the bands d, (Z, to reduce their circumference, if required. The construction is such as to combine lightness with perfect ease to the wearer, as it adapts itself to all the changes in the form from the various move ments and positions of the person in walking, stooping, sitting, lying, &c., while it maintains a degree of pressure (which may be varied at pleasure, by tightening the lace strings,) upon the abdominal and pelvic regions, which affords the highest degree of comfort, and rapidly hastens convalescence in those who are afiiicted with weakness of the. bowels, or back, or from diseases peculiar to females.

As a bandage to be used immediately after parturition, while the abdominal muscles are relaxed, it is invaluable, keeping its position on the person of the patient perfectly, and contributing much to rapid and healthy recuperation.

For hernial abcesses, it is equally effectual, and, with the addition of a pad for the affected part, may be Worn with greater ease, I and. With all the advantage of the common I hernial truss, by either sex.

WVhat I claim as my invention and desire 5 to secure by Letters Patent is,

The arrangement of the open hip spaces, and elastic hip bands (Z, d, and the prime and auxiliary elastic straps h, h, and j, j, for

obstetrical bandages and supporters, substantially in the manner and. for the purposes herein specified.

Vitnesses MARTHA WILLIS.

MARIA HUTOHINGS,

J. FRASER. 

